06-23-2004, 08:06 AM
The Manipulated Mind: Brainwashing, Conditioning and Indoctrination
by Denise Winn
About the Author
Denise Winn is a British journalist specializing in psychology and medicine. She is a former editor of the UK edition of Psychology Today and has written for national newspapers magazines in Britain for over 20 years. She is author of 11 other books on psychological and medical topics and is currently also editor of The Therapist
Excerpted from The Manipulated Mind : Brainwashing, Conditioning and Indoctrination by Denise Winn. Copyright © 1984. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved
Excerpted from "The Magic Monastery: Analogical and Action Philosophy of the Middle East and Central Asia" by Idries Shah. Copyright 1972, 1981 by The Estate of Idries Shah. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
DELUSION A would-be disciple said to a sage: 'I have been listening to you for days now, condemning attitudes and ideas, and even conduct, which are not mine and never have been. What is the purpose of this?' The sage said: 'The purpose of it is that you should, at some point,... read more --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
Ever since American prisoners of war in Korea suddenly switched sides to the Communist cause, the concept of brainwashing has continued to fascinate and confuse.
Is it really possible to force any thinking person to act in a way completely alien to his character? What makes so-called brainwashing so different from the equally insidious effects of indoctrination and conditioning, or even advertising and education?
Research findings from psychology show that brainwashing is not a special subversive technique; it is the clever manipulation of unrealized influences that operate in all our lives.
This book, by breaking down so-called brainwashing to its individual elements, shows how social conditioning, need for approval, emotional dependency and much else that we are unaware of, prevent us from being as self-directed as we think; and, conversely, which human traits make us the least susceptible to subtle influence.
See all editorial reviews...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spotlight Reviews (What's this?)
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Good overview, nothing else, April 11, 2003
Reviewer: mouffetard (see more about me) from Elmont, NY United States
I am interested in mind control and this came recommended as a good book on the subject. However this book is one long history of research into mind control. The book begins with a general description of the first case of actual mind control as performed on American POW's in Korea, where many were so brainwashed that they openly embraced their captors and communism. It was at this point, the author claims, that it was realized that mind control could occur.
It is from this watershed event, and the data collected therefrom, that all current study of brainwashing and mind control stem. The author then surveys the Pavlov dog experiments, animal research, various large scale experiments involving humans where unbelievable counter intuitive results occur. This book is worth its price just to read about these studies into things like 'the gun effect' where people were actually mroe aggressive to an armed motorist getting stuck on a highway then to an unarmed one.
All in all, this is a general study, somewhat outdated, and is written from English points of view. This is a book you can start with, and then use its extensive bibliography to explore areas that interest you more closely.
Was this review helpful to you?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
9 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
Very interesting....., August 6, 2002
Reviewer: A reader from Los Angeles
HOWEVER, FOR A VISCERAL READ and insider's account, I suggest Deborah Layton's memoir, SEDUCTIVE POISON> It was required reading in my son's Psychology course at Stanford University and at his urging I picked it up. Besides being eloquent the story transported me into the world of idealism, innocent delusion and cults. What Layton brings to this subject / discussion is the Universality of it all. She's the quintessential "girl next door," someone you recognize as "your own", likeable, attractive, searching for meaning in her life. She is not unlike any of us at that age and time-the 60's. Layton's tale reminded me that it could happen to the brightest and best of us. Her experience is not unlike that of Europeans with Hitler's rise to power in the equally turbulent 1930 and 40's. Hitler had a gradual infatuation with putting respect and power back into the hands of Germany. Jim Jones, too, promised his flock that they would have more power over their lives if they followed him to South America. Both charismatic men started out respected and supported by politicians. When it was over the world cried, "How could they have allowed this to happen?" It does! And will! until we understand the phenomenon and admit that we, too, have been lured, seduced, fooled, misguided and ill-informed at various times in our lives. Layton's experience, though extreme IS UNIVERSAL.
Was this review helpful to you?
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
excellent book!, May 11, 2001
Reviewer: csteven9 from Garden City, MI United States
I thought this book did a good job of conveying the info in a rational manner without overhyping the findings. I would recommend Sargents book "the battle for the mind" also, to those who are interested.
Was this review helpful to you?
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Outstanding! Rational and Clear - a must read about Media, August 14, 2000
Reviewer: A reader from Hawaii
A very clear and well written study of the various means that the media uses to manipulate and control the mass 'thinking' and behavior. I read the original hardcover (used) and now that there is an updated paperback I am ordering it. Very rational investigation by a media reporter, well cited and referenced and a pleasant eye-opening reading. Should be required reading for all poly sci, media, and psych majors.
Was this review helpful to you?
17 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
Nice, June 23, 2000
Reviewer: Greg M. Wilson from Missouri
This is a great book, now I will use it to take over the world.
by Denise Winn
About the Author
Denise Winn is a British journalist specializing in psychology and medicine. She is a former editor of the UK edition of Psychology Today and has written for national newspapers magazines in Britain for over 20 years. She is author of 11 other books on psychological and medical topics and is currently also editor of The Therapist
Excerpted from The Manipulated Mind : Brainwashing, Conditioning and Indoctrination by Denise Winn. Copyright © 1984. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved
Excerpted from "The Magic Monastery: Analogical and Action Philosophy of the Middle East and Central Asia" by Idries Shah. Copyright 1972, 1981 by The Estate of Idries Shah. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
DELUSION A would-be disciple said to a sage: 'I have been listening to you for days now, condemning attitudes and ideas, and even conduct, which are not mine and never have been. What is the purpose of this?' The sage said: 'The purpose of it is that you should, at some point,... read more --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
Ever since American prisoners of war in Korea suddenly switched sides to the Communist cause, the concept of brainwashing has continued to fascinate and confuse.
Is it really possible to force any thinking person to act in a way completely alien to his character? What makes so-called brainwashing so different from the equally insidious effects of indoctrination and conditioning, or even advertising and education?
Research findings from psychology show that brainwashing is not a special subversive technique; it is the clever manipulation of unrealized influences that operate in all our lives.
This book, by breaking down so-called brainwashing to its individual elements, shows how social conditioning, need for approval, emotional dependency and much else that we are unaware of, prevent us from being as self-directed as we think; and, conversely, which human traits make us the least susceptible to subtle influence.
See all editorial reviews...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spotlight Reviews (What's this?)
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Good overview, nothing else, April 11, 2003
Reviewer: mouffetard (see more about me) from Elmont, NY United States
I am interested in mind control and this came recommended as a good book on the subject. However this book is one long history of research into mind control. The book begins with a general description of the first case of actual mind control as performed on American POW's in Korea, where many were so brainwashed that they openly embraced their captors and communism. It was at this point, the author claims, that it was realized that mind control could occur.
It is from this watershed event, and the data collected therefrom, that all current study of brainwashing and mind control stem. The author then surveys the Pavlov dog experiments, animal research, various large scale experiments involving humans where unbelievable counter intuitive results occur. This book is worth its price just to read about these studies into things like 'the gun effect' where people were actually mroe aggressive to an armed motorist getting stuck on a highway then to an unarmed one.
All in all, this is a general study, somewhat outdated, and is written from English points of view. This is a book you can start with, and then use its extensive bibliography to explore areas that interest you more closely.
Was this review helpful to you?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
9 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
Very interesting....., August 6, 2002
Reviewer: A reader from Los Angeles
HOWEVER, FOR A VISCERAL READ and insider's account, I suggest Deborah Layton's memoir, SEDUCTIVE POISON> It was required reading in my son's Psychology course at Stanford University and at his urging I picked it up. Besides being eloquent the story transported me into the world of idealism, innocent delusion and cults. What Layton brings to this subject / discussion is the Universality of it all. She's the quintessential "girl next door," someone you recognize as "your own", likeable, attractive, searching for meaning in her life. She is not unlike any of us at that age and time-the 60's. Layton's tale reminded me that it could happen to the brightest and best of us. Her experience is not unlike that of Europeans with Hitler's rise to power in the equally turbulent 1930 and 40's. Hitler had a gradual infatuation with putting respect and power back into the hands of Germany. Jim Jones, too, promised his flock that they would have more power over their lives if they followed him to South America. Both charismatic men started out respected and supported by politicians. When it was over the world cried, "How could they have allowed this to happen?" It does! And will! until we understand the phenomenon and admit that we, too, have been lured, seduced, fooled, misguided and ill-informed at various times in our lives. Layton's experience, though extreme IS UNIVERSAL.
Was this review helpful to you?
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
excellent book!, May 11, 2001
Reviewer: csteven9 from Garden City, MI United States
I thought this book did a good job of conveying the info in a rational manner without overhyping the findings. I would recommend Sargents book "the battle for the mind" also, to those who are interested.
Was this review helpful to you?
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Outstanding! Rational and Clear - a must read about Media, August 14, 2000
Reviewer: A reader from Hawaii
A very clear and well written study of the various means that the media uses to manipulate and control the mass 'thinking' and behavior. I read the original hardcover (used) and now that there is an updated paperback I am ordering it. Very rational investigation by a media reporter, well cited and referenced and a pleasant eye-opening reading. Should be required reading for all poly sci, media, and psych majors.
Was this review helpful to you?
17 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
Nice, June 23, 2000
Reviewer: Greg M. Wilson from Missouri
This is a great book, now I will use it to take over the world.